George R. Grau

Wednesday

Sep 26, 2012 at 9:27 AMSep 26, 2012 at 9:44 AM

BLISSFIELD — George R. Grau, 71, of Blissfield, went to be with the Lord Monday Sept. 10, 2012, while on his final hunt. He was in Newfoundland on a moose hunt when he lost his 4 1⁄2-year battle with cancer. George was known as a steadfast Christian, family man and friend.

He was born Feb. 23, 1941, in Cleveland, Ohio, the son of George and Dorothy (Perrine) Grau. After graduating from Brecksville High School, he received a bachelor’s degree from GMI (Kettering University). On Sept. 24, 1988, George married Patricia (Steckmyer) Goulart in Adrian. Pat, his wife of 24 years, survives.

George worked for General Motors, retiring in 1990 with more than 31 years of service. His GM careeer included assignments at Fisher Body Cleveland, Ohio; Fisher Body Tecumseh, Mich., and Inland Fisher Guide Euclid, Ohio. After retiring, he started his own excavating business, GGI Construction.

After Pat’s retirement, she and George spent their winters in Bradenton, Fla., where he was a member of the Manatee United Methodist Church. In Blissfield he atttended Zion United Brethren Church. He was also a member of the Palmyra Masonic Lodge #184 and the Brecksville Masonic Lodge.

In addition to his wife, George is survived by their children, Janet (Tobias) Bulang of Heidelberg, Germany; Nancy (Mike) DeSantis of Hickory, N.C.; Dori (Noel) Eisenmann of Blissfield and Jared (Suzy) Goulart of Lexington, Ky.; grandchildren, Emma and Noah Bulang, Samantha and Bryce DeSantis, Isaac, Josh, Ricky and Hannah Eisenmann; and Lilija Goulart; and brothers, Tom (Anita) Grau of Ohio and Bob (Cindy) Grau of North Carolina.

Besides his parents he was preceded in death by a grandson, Raphael Bulang, in infancy.

George’s family will receive friends at Wagley Funeral Home, Tagsold Chapel in Blissfield on Friday, Sept. 28, beginning at 4 p.m., concluding at 8 p.m. with a Masonic service. A Celebration of George’s Life will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Sept.29, 2012, at Zion United Brethren Church, with the Rev. Aden Porter officiating. Visitation will also take place at the church from 10 to 11 a.m.

Flowers for George’s service are being provided by his wife. In lieu of flowers, George requested that those wishing to designate a gift in his memory make a donation to Hunt of a Lifetime, an organization that grants hunting dreams to terminally ill youth, or Zion United Brethren Church. Condolences are welcome at www.WagleyFuneralHome.com.